MacWilliams, Hackney get to show CFL evaluators what they have to offer

The Guardian

Published: Mar 09, 2015 at midnight

Updated: Sep 30, 2017 at 3:38 a.m.

Holland College Hurricanes quarterback Christian Hackney spots receiver Eugene McMinns open during Atlantic Football League action Sunday against the Saint John Seawolves.

The Holland Hurricanes football club is preparing for its home opener against UNB Sunday at the UPEI field. At a practice this week are, from left, Zach Davidson, offensive lineman, quarterback Christian Hackney, head coach Andrew Hickey, and Owen MacWilliams, defensive lineman.

Holland College quarterback Christian Hackney throws a pass during Thursday’s practice as the team prepares for today’s Atlantic Football League final.<br /><br /><br />

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Holland College Hurricanes football players Owen MacWilliams and Christian Hackney have been invited to attend the CFL's regional combine March 25 in Montreal.

Quarterback Hackney led the Hurricanes to back-to-back Atlantic Football League championships while MacWilliams was a key cog on the offensive line for the Hurricanes for three seasons.

The team captains were league all-stars the past two seasons.

"If I hadn't been honing my skills with the Hurricanes, I would not have been invited to the combine," MacWilliams said. "This is a great opportunity to get noticed and to see how I measure up against the top talent across the country."

MacWilliams was an anchor along the offensive line and played a key role in the Hurricanes' success. Hackney's strong arm and football IQ led him to complete 91 of 160 passes for 1,568 yards this season. He threw for 18 touchdowns in eight games while rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Hackney, a six-foot-two, 230-pound Windsor, Ont., native, and MacWilliams, a six-foot-one, 290-pound Summerside native, are not the first Hurricanes to try out for CFL teams. Head coach Andrew Hickey sees the invitations as an endorsement of the Holland College football program.

"That we have been able to grow our football program to this level in just five years indicates the quality of the players we have been able to attract, and our ability to help them improve as players," he said.

The CFL, with input from all teams, will invite additional players from the regional combines to the national combine in Toronto.

Holland College Hurricanes football players Owen MacWilliams and Christian Hackney have been invited to attend the CFL's regional combine March 25 in Montreal.

Quarterback Hackney led the Hurricanes to back-to-back Atlantic Football League championships while MacWilliams was a key cog on the offensive line for the Hurricanes for three seasons.

The team captains were league all-stars the past two seasons.

"If I hadn't been honing my skills with the Hurricanes, I would not have been invited to the combine," MacWilliams said. "This is a great opportunity to get noticed and to see how I measure up against the top talent across the country."

MacWilliams was an anchor along the offensive line and played a key role in the Hurricanes' success. Hackney's strong arm and football IQ led him to complete 91 of 160 passes for 1,568 yards this season. He threw for 18 touchdowns in eight games while rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Hackney, a six-foot-two, 230-pound Windsor, Ont., native, and MacWilliams, a six-foot-one, 290-pound Summerside native, are not the first Hurricanes to try out for CFL teams. Head coach Andrew Hickey sees the invitations as an endorsement of the Holland College football program.

"That we have been able to grow our football program to this level in just five years indicates the quality of the players we have been able to attract, and our ability to help them improve as players," he said.

The CFL, with input from all teams, will invite additional players from the regional combines to the national combine in Toronto.